Most know the importance of multi-tasking at work. In fact, many businesses list it as a desired skill in job posts, which is understandable. On any given day, multiple projects, tasks and one-off items can fill your calendar, and they occasionally have competing deadlines. Being able to navigate these various—and sometimes completely unrelated—items can boost your success as an employee.

Multi-tasking also helps boost office efficiency. If a computer program is running slowly, you could work in another or take that time to complete a task away from your computer, like sending a fax. Multi-tasking smaller items also allows for spending more time on larger projects requiring your full attention. Just be careful not to let multi-tasking distract you when it shouldn’t—knowing when to give your full attention is equally important, if not more so, than the ability to multi-task.

Overall, social media is a great thing. You can keep up with out-of-state friends and family members, professionally network and widen your horizons for crafting, cooking and other DIY projects. But in–and trying to get into–the business world, social media can certainly present some challenges.

Time’s recent article offers some sage advice about presenting yourself online. For instance, entering your name into a search engine could help you uncover online information you didn’t realize was available—information that could be found by a potential or current employer. It can be hard to keep track of various online profiles … never mind what someone else puts up (even if your grandma had the best of intentions by putting up that Thanksgiving “silly” photo).

Now, monitoring your online presence doesn’t mean you can’t post pictures of a friendly Christmas party or ski trip. But it does help you keep tabs on how a third party might judge your level of professional by the things he or she finds online.

One reason some companies can stand the test of time is innovation—as the world develops, it’s important to keep up with changes. From associates to senior managers, everyone can come up with ideas that might help the company grow.

These days, many companies have teams or departments to handle new business ideas, so start talking to them! You never know when a small idea can turn into a game-changer. Don’t be afraid to speak up. Even if your idea doesn’t make the cut, managers and other groups will see you’re thinking outside the box and working to develop the company.

To that end, new ideas don’t necessarily have to be new products to sell or services to provide—they can also create more efficiency within the company. Your idea could be the catalyst for a new internal process or more efficient way to complete tasks. These often contribute as much to the bottom line as a new product.

But what if your company doesn’t have such a group? Don’t let that stifle your creativity. Don’t be afraid to take your idea to a manager or supervisor. If it has merit and seems beneficial, your idea may still be able to get off the ground.

Office parties and department get-togethers are common. How you act outside of work can leave a lasting impression on co-workers, so it’s important to maintain a respectable reputation.

Utilize the time to network. Where appropriate, introduce yourself to senior managers or the CEO. You may not know when you’ll get a chance again.

Think about how you would like managers and co-workers to view you. It’s probably no different than how you’d like to be viewed at the office. For example, minding your manners will be key in maintaining a professional reputation.

You probably spend a large part of the day with your co-workers talking about work-related topics, so use the time to get to know the people around you on a more personal level (but not too personal). Developing better personal relationships can make professional relationships more productive. To that end, don’t spend too much time talking about yourself either—you may come off as self-centered.

When asked what they’d like to do after college, or as a career, many students respond “I have no idea”—and that’s perfectly fine. Knowing what you want to do as a career may come with and change over time. Here are some tips that can help you develop a career path.

If you don’t know what you want to do, start with what you don’t. Though almost all work experience is valuable in one way or another, time is also valuable, so don’t waste time pursuing an opportunity that doesn’t interest you.

Don’t let fear make you take the easy road. If you’re offered your dream job but worried you won’t be able to step up to the challenge or have to relocate, weigh the rewards of taking a risk. No matter what you decide, give yourself the option of following your vision.

Once you know what you’d really like to do, don’t be afraid of taking a chance. Industry or career changes may be daunting, but you’ll never know what you’re capable of until you try.

It can be easy to get caught up in aspects of a job you don’t particularly like. Your friends probably do it, your parents likely do (or did) it and your colleagues may also–especially during a busy or stressful time. But focusing on the negative may only make a job seem harder than it needs to be, creating an overall less rewarding experience. So every once in a while make an effort to remember positive job aspects, too.

Reflecting on the good things your job provides (purpose, a paycheck, social interaction, etc.) may remind you why you started a job in the first place, how your career path developed and the experience you’re gaining. Remembering why you made certain choices may reaffirm your professional decisions, and recognizing reasons you like your job likely make you an overall more satisfied employee. And that satisfaction will reflect in the quality of your work and workday.

Distractions are everywhere, and the workplace is no exception. Many businesses these days have open floor plans, partial cubicles or none at all, meaning your co-workers and their conversations are a constant stimulant—how distracting! And the expansion of the web for business and personal use certainly don’t help keep you on task, either. While an occasional distraction isn’t necessarily a catastrophe to your job overall, it’s important to recognize ways to refocus, when concentration is absolutely necessary.

Headphones, for example, even if not playing music can help tune out noise. Or if you notice your attention span is increasingly shortening, perhaps that’s a sign to take a quick break and clear your head. When you begin again, you may notice taking a breather helped you focus. If your work is mobile, empty conference rooms or cubicles could isolate you from distractions, too. But in the end, if nothing is working, it’s OK to politely ask your co-workers to quiet down every once in a while if you’re trying to concentrate.